Puig made the roster over Heisey even though the talented Cuban played in only the last two games of the regular season after missing more than a month with a strained hamstring, and didn't run full speed in those two games.

Peralta, plagued by a bulging neck disc most of the season, demonstrated increased velocity and sharpness in September to edge Nicasio, who had a 7.04 ERA in September and was vulnerable all season against left-handed hitting.